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Saturday, 31 March 2012

London, March 30th,
2012 – China’s defense budget is
one of the largest in the world, second only to the US. In addition, China has a
rapidly expanding presence in the international arms export market. The Chinese
defense budget is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.90% until 2016. While the
Chinese defense budget will grow at a faster rate than the US defense budget
growth during this time, the budget will still be considerably smaller than the
US defense budget in 2016 (reference see figure 12 below).

China has the largest defense budget in Asia, and has the
second-largest defense budget in the world. The country’s budget grew at a
compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.86% during the review period
(2005–2010), which was fueled by the nation’s desire to become a global
superpower, containing a strong economy and superior military force which can
rival that of the United States. China’s defense industry has also benefited
from the country’s strong economic growth, which has enabled large sums to be
allocated for its defense industry.

Although the US currently dominates the world’s political, military
and cultural outlook, China aims to emerge as one of the world’s largest
economic powers and threaten the US’s military and economic supremacy. As such,
the country has focused on modernizing its defense capabilities through the
acquisition of advanced foreign weapons, significant investments in its domestic
industrial technology, and upgrading its strategic nuclear force. As such,
China’s defense expenditure grew at a CAGR of 20.86% during the review period,
and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 9.90% during the forecast
period.

China has instigated a military modernization program, which focuses
on developing its navy, air defense systems, missile defense systems, C4I
(Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence) capabilities and
surveillance equipment. This program will continue throughout the forecast
period with China raising its defense capital expenditure allocation from 34% of
the total defense budget in 2010 to 39% in 2016.

Rising internal threats, alongside increased criminal activity, pose
a security risk to Chinese homeland security. To address these risks, China is
expected to spend a similar amount on homeland security as it does for external
defense in 2011. The spending on homeland security aims to reduce criminal
activity, riots, illegal immigration, illicit drug trading and human trafficking
in the country. As Chinese homeland security is threatened by the protests and
criminal activity of separatist groups from Tibet, Taiwan and Xinjiang, a
substantial portion of the nation’s military budget is spent on policing these
areas.

China does not
have access to advanced military technology developed in Western countries due
to the arms embargo placed on the country by the US and European countries
following the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Despite this several foreign
companies have participated in the joint development, assembly and co-production
of a variety of civilian products with Chinese companies, which have the
potential to be used by the defense industry. As such, China has integrated its
civil and military industries, which enables civilian technology to be utilized
for defense products and vice versa.

To
purchase the full version of ‘The Chinese Defense Industry Market
Opportunities and Entry Strategies, Analyses and Forecasts to 2016’, please
click
here.

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Review:Industry Review is a collection of incisive, regularly updated
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We provide
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companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so you can make
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Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets
worldwide.

Thursday, 29 March 2012

The duty free retailers’ category was the
fastest-growing retail channel in the specialist retailers market between 2005
and 10 and achieved a CAGR of 18.34%. The weakest performer was music, video,
book, stationery, and entertainment software specialists, which achieved only a
CAGR of 14.26%.

London – 29 March 2012 – Following
expansion at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.34% between 2005 and
2010, the duty free retailers channel in Australia reached a value of US$0.9
billion in 2010, which represented an increase of 74.3% on 2009. The market
achieved its strongest performance in 2010 when it grew by 74.3% over its
previous year and its weakest performance in 2009, when it fell to -4.0% over
2008.

By 2010, the duty free retailers channel accounted for 0.7% of the specialist
retailers market. In comparison, clothing, footwear, accessories and luxury
goods specialists represented 24.1% share, while food and drinks specialists
generated a further 20.4% of the market's 2010 share.
Looking ahead, the duty free retailers channel is expected to expand at a
CAGR of 5.61% between 2010 and 2015, reaching a value of US$1.1 billion in 2015.
This represents a total growth of 204.9% from 2005 and 31.4% from 2010.

The
duty free retailer channel is expected to be the fastest-growing retail channel
in the specialist retailers market between 2010 and 2015, which is expected to
achieve a CAGR of 5.61%. The weakest performer is forecast to be electrical and
electronics specialists, which is expected to achieve a CAGR of 3.68%. By 2015,
the duty free retailer channel is forecast to account for 0.8% of the specialist
retailers market. In comparison, clothing, footwear, accessories and luxury
goods specialists is predicted to account for 24.9%, while food and drinks
specialists is expected to generate a further 20.5% of the market's 2015
share.

To purchase the full version of ‘Duty Free
Retailers in Australia: Market Snapshot to 2015’, please click
here.

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Wednesday, 28 March 2012

London, March 28th, 2012 – The Irish
foodservice industry is expected to record positive CAGR from 2011 – 2016,
primarily due to rising disposable income leading to increased consumer
expenditure in the Ireland. The foodservice sector will have to deal with the
emergence of a number of new trends, including restaurants offering mini meals
and combos, discounts, and promotional offers in order to generate customer
traffic.

Ireland’s foodservice sector has been driven recently by the
changing demographics of the population and a shift in consumer preferences
towards nutritional and healthy eating. Ireland’s foodservice sector is,
however, majorly dependent on performance of the profit sector, which was
severely affected by the economic downturn in Ireland. During the economic
downturn period, consumers’ spending patterns have changed, which has affected
the dining out behavior of consumers.

With a 94.8% share in 2011, the
profit sector accounted for the majority of Ireland foodservice sales. Within
the profit sector the pub, club and bar, and restaurant channels accounted for
the majority of the share. The cost sector accounted for 5.2% of total
foodservice sector sales with the healthcare channel being the largest
contributor in this sector (reference see graph below).

From 2008 to 2010, Ireland’s annual disposable income declined by 17%, a fall
that resulted in a marked slowdown in the number of consumers visiting
foodservice outlets and had a damaging effect on the foodservice sector, which
resulted in the reduction in average transaction cost, which in turn affected
the sale of foodservice operators and even resulted in the shutdown of
outlets.

The recession in 2008-2009 led to an increase in the turnover of the fast
food sector. With a decline in disposable income during the recession, an
increasing number of consumers opted for quick bites and cheaper dining. The
number of older people continues to increase more than ever before. The
foodservice industry will have to adjust to kind of food, quality and
convenience demanded by various age groups and will have to consider where the
food will be consumed. Furthermore Ireland is becoming a heterogeneous society
due to increased immigration from other countries during the years of the
economic boom. The increased ethnic diversity has influenced food consumption
patterns and demand in recent years.

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Ireland to 2016, please click here.

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presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Friday, 23 March 2012

London, March 23rd,
2012 - Respondents from the transport industry expect to see
increased levels of consolidation, with 52% of respondents predicting at least
some increase in M&A activity. Of respondents from the Asia-Pacific region,
56% expect an increase in M&A activity, followed by 52% in Europe and 49% in
the Rest of the World.

It is expected that there will be
increased levels of consolidation as expressed by executives from transport
buyer companies. This could be a result of the need to manage new cost or demand pressures,
increase market shares, develop new products, repay debt or adhere to new
compliance procedures. Infrastructure activity and demand for services are
expected to increase substantially as the global markets begin to recover. This
is likely to lead to larger companies planning to acquire small, local companies
with strong business models and growth opportunities to integrate their services
– a senior executive from a technology service provider company in Asia-Pacific
stated:

“With the development of global markets, we expect
demand for services to increase which can best be met by acquiring local
companies. The integration of local companies with larger, more experienced
companies helps to provide world-class services.

Respondents have identified China, India Brazil and the
Middle East as the most important emerging markets to offer growth. China in
particular is expected to grow rapidly due to strong market potential, sufficient labor resources,
expansion of its railroad infrastructure and sound corporate governance.
Australia, Singapore, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and the US have been identified as
developed regions with the most growth potential by rail and road buyer
respondents, whilst ship buyer respondents prefer Singapore, Taiwan and Hong
Kong, South Korea and Australia.

ICD
Research’s industry survey revealed that, the average size of the global annual
marketing budget for transport industry supplier respondents in 2010 was US$3
million. Although this had risen to US$4.6 million for 2011, 82% of supplier
respondents plan to spend less than US$250,000 on marketing budgets with 8% of
respondents planning to spend between US$1 million and US$10 million. Companies
intend to keep budgets low.

‘Email and newsletters’, ‘conferences or events’ and
‘corporate or brand websites’ are expected to achieve the strongest investment
gains. These new media channels have increased in importance among suppliers in
the transport industry. With the rapid development of online social networking
channels such as Twitter and Facebook, new opportunities are provided for
respondents to effectively communicate messages between industry partners to
build networks. However, ‘newspapers’, ‘radio’ and ‘telemarketing’ are expected
to show the lowest investment gains, therefore less investment will be put into
media channels such as these. The key areas of investment amongst marketing and
sales solutions activities for the next year will be ‘Market intelligence
research’, ‘business performance management solutions’ and ‘Customer
Relationship Management (CRM) systems’.

To
purchase the full version of the Global Transport Supplier Industry
Outlook Survey 2011 - 2012, please
click here.

About
Industry Review:Industry
Review is a collection of incisive, regularly updated market reports across 40+
industry sectors and 100+ countries.

We
provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key industries,
top companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so you can make
faster and better informed business decisions.

The
reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research, proprietary
databases, industry surveys and insightful analysis from our own expert teams
and from carefully selected third-party publishers.With
access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media
presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Thursday, 22 March 2012

The growth in domestic demand from the retail and food processing industries
and demand for exports in global markets is expected to stimulate growth in the
packaging industry in Argentina between 2012 and 2016. During the review period
(2006 to 2010), the Argentinean packaging industry continued to record growth,
despite the global economic recession.

The
Argentine packaging industry has evolved in accordance with developments in the
country’s agriculture, food processing and retail sectors. In addition, the
above average growth rate in the Argentine retail industry and a growing export
market have attracted foreign companies into the country’s packaging industry.
In 2011, the Argentine packaging industry accounted for 1.1% of the country’s
GDP. During the review period (2006- 2010), the key packaging end markets for
the Argentine packaging industry such as retail and processed food and drinks
industries, have recorded growth which can be attributed to domestic demand and
exports to global markets.

Argentine packaging industry supported by
domestic demand and proximity to Brazil and the US
Argentina is the second largest country in South America and is the eighth
largest country in the world. Argentina is known for its availability of arable
land and developed agro-industrial capacity, and is also one of the largest
producers of vegetable oil, including soybean oil, sunflower oil and peanut oil,
in the world. In addition, Argentina’s proximity to countries such as the US and
Brazil provides export opportunities for Argentine products. Between 2007 and
2011, the Argentine packaging industry increased at a compound annual growth
rate (CAGR) of around 6% and is expected to at a similar rate during the
forecast period (2011–15).

Growth in organized retail such as
supermarkets and hypermarkets expected to drive Argentine packaging industry
growth
In 2009, organized retail stores such as hypermarkets, supermarkets and
warehouse stores, accounted for 31% of the country’s food and drinks market.
Many leading international retail companies such as Wal-Mart, Carrefour, Casino
and Jumbo operate in Argentina, and Coto and La Anonima are the only large
retailers which are domestically owned. Hypermarkets and supermarkets are
expanding their presence in the country’s retail market through the purchase of
smaller chains and the opening of new stores. Of total imported food and drink
products, 70% are sold through large retail outlets, and the increased
penetration of large retail outlets coupled with higher sales volumes is
expected to support demand in the Argentine packaging industry during the
forecast period (2011–15).

Growth in packaging machinery demand is
largely driven by agriculture and food processing industry growth
The Argentine packaging industry has evolved in accordance with the
development of the country’s agriculture, food processing and retail sectors and
investment in technology. Moreover, the growth strategy adopted by the large
retail companies is expected to further stimulate the Argentine packaging
machinery market between 2012 and 2016.The implementation of recycling law in
Argentina remains unapproved by government
In Argentina, waste management and recycling law has not been approved or
implemented by the country’s government. Although the National Packaging Law, a
bill on the environment and recycling initiatives was drafted in 2005, it has
not been debated in Congress. The bill was drafted with the participation of the
Argentine government and industry representatives and focuses on the reduction
of solid waste and toxins in the environment. Any further delay in the
implementation of waste management and recycling law will have a detrimental
impact on the growth of the Argentine packaging industry.

Growth in organized retail and food
processing industries expected to enhance the penetration of packaging
materials
In Argentina the growth in the retail and food processing industries will
increase the market size and penetration of the Argentine packaging industry, as
a result of the increased demand for packaging materials and products. With the
rise of supermarkets and hypermarkets, the country’s retail sector has
demonstrated growth. Moreover, the growth in the food processing sector in
addition to the retail growth is forecast to increase the penetration of the
packaging industry in Argentina to 2016.

To purchase the full
version of The Argentine Packaging Industry - Market Opportunities and Entry
Strategies, Analyses and Forecasts to 2016, please click
here.

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presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Monday, 19 March 2012

The capital expenditure allocation for the South Korean army is expected to
grow at a CAGR of 7.90%, from an estimated US$1.9 billion in 2010 to over
US$2.75 billion in 2015. Indeed, while there will be significant reductions in
army manpower leading up to 2020, as part of the government’s Defense Reform
Plan 2020, this reduction will be compensated by the acquisition of advanced
technology and weaponry that requires minimal manpower.

During the forecast period (2011 - 2016), the capital expenditure allocation
for the South Korean navy is expected to grow at a CAGR of 7.90%. This will
equate to an average of 15.84% of the total capital expenditure budget. The
growth is attributed to the increased threat of sea hijacking by pirates and the
need for increased maritime surveillance.

To strengthen the country’s intelligence and surveillance capabilities, the
South Korean government has allocated 7.67% of its capital expenditure budget
towards the procurement of new command, control, communications, computers,
intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and electronic warfare (C4ISREW)
equipment. Indeed, it is estimated that the budget for surveillance and
intelligence will grow at a CAGR of 7.90% during the forecast period (2011 -
2016).

To purchase the full
version of ‘The South Korean Defense Industry - Market Opportunities and Entry
Strategies, Analyses and Forecasts to 2016’, please click
here.

We provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key
industries, top companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so
you can make faster and better informed business decisions.

The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research,
proprietary databases, industry surveys and insightful analysis from our own
expert teams and from carefully selected third-party publishers.

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media
presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Saturday, 17 March 2012

London, March 16th, 2011 -
The Indian
defense market offers numerous market opportunities to both domestic and foreign
manufacturers. As one of the largest defense equipment markets in the world, the
country is expected to spend considerably on its military over the forecast
period. Due to India’s ageing military systems, the country needs to modernize
its equipment, which will lead to an increase in capital expenditure for
procuring new defense equipment. The country is also forecast to spend a
significant amount of money on homeland security, intelligence and cyber
security. This is primarily due to India’s hostile neighbors of China and
Pakistan, who have invested heavily in their defense markets, the threat of
terrorism and internal security concerns. India is also one of the
fastest-growing defense markets globally, with total defense expenditure
registering a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 12.57% during the review
period (2005–2010). Total defense expenditure is expected to achieve a CAGR of
13.08% during the forecast period (2011–2016).

Increased
spending on homeland security

Government
spending on India's homeland security market has increased significantly as a
result of terrorist attacks, the smuggling of arms and explosives, and domestic
insurgency. In 2010, the country's homeland security budget registered an
increase of 12.8% over the previous year. Due to the nature of the security
threats which the country faces, the main opportunities for growth in homeland
security are expected in the aviation, mass transportation, maritime security
markets, surveillance technology, global positioning systems, radars and
biometric systems.

India is a
large defense importer

India is one
the world’s largest importers of military hardware, and uses imports to fulfill
70% of its defense requirements. While India aims to procure 70% of its defense
requirements domestically, the country relies upon imports to procure advanced
technology, and, since most of the equipment India is seeking uses advanced
technology, there will be significant prospects to import defense equipment to
India during the forecast period.

Several
foreign companies are entering the Indian defense industry through joint
ventures

Government regulation only
allows foreign players a maximum equity holding of 26%. Despite this, the number
of foreign companies entering the Indian defense industry through joint ventures
has increased over the review period. The main reason for this increase is the
awareness that the Indian defense industry is growing strongly, and the
expectation that forming a joint venture will bring future benefits as the
country looks to procure defense equipment domestically.Furthermore, gaining a domestic
market presence will become important in order to take advantage of market
opportunities as they emerge in the future.

We provide
access to the latest data on global and local markets, key industries, top
companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so you can make
faster and better informed business decisions.

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in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research, proprietary
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over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets
worldwide.

Thursday, 15 March 2012

London, March
15h, 2012 – The global spending on cyber warfare systems is expected to
remain robust over the forecast period due primarily to the increased importance
of such systems in modern warfare. The formation of the US Cyber Command or
USCybercom, the highest defense spender globally, highlights the importance of
cyber warfare in today’s world. The rise in new technologies such as social
networks, mobile devices and cloud computing, combined with the economic
downturn is driving the pace of innovation in the field of cyber
warfare.

Consumer driven IT has resulted in organizations losing control
over their ability to manage their data by defining a perimeter. Weak economic
conditions have meant that companies are striving to find ways and means to
remain competitive. This is where innovation is seen to be sustaining the cyber
warfare industry with sub-sectors such as identity and access management, data
security and network security expected to record significant growth over the
forecast period.

North America is expected to account for the largest
share of the total global cyber warfare market, representing a 46% share over
the forecast period. Regional demand is primarily driven by the growing threat
from Chinese, Russian and Iranian cyber attacks on US military and civilian
networks (reference see graph below).

The cyber security institutional eco-system which
consists of a broad set of international, national, and private organizations
has unclear and overlapping boundaries as well as differing capacities due to
which a comprehensive database on such malware has not been developed.

As
most cyber weapons are developed in secrecy, defenders will have limited
knowledge with regards to the capabilities of the weapons and will not be able
to update or modify the cyber defense mechanisms accordingly.

The cyber
security industry is plagued by lack of trust among different parties which
further leads to data not being shared. This trend is increasingly being viewed
between the public and private sectors where any possible alert is shared only
amongst trusted people and not via the official channel, which prevents deep
penetration of critical data and facilitates instances of cyber
crime.

New technologies such as cloud computing, social networking and
the proliferation of mobile devices have also resulted in an increase of cyber
attacks. These factors are expected to drive the demand for cyber security
programs.

With budget cuts being implemented, many countries are looking
to channel their resources towards certain areas of military spending. For
example the US is looking to phase out tanks and other major weapons programs
and divert its spending towards IT and cyber security programs. The increase in
the severity of cyber attacks and the growing size, interconnectivity, and the
complexity of critical IT infrastructure is driving the demand of cyber security
globally.

The range of technologies available with respect to cyber
attack and cyber defense systems is evolving rapidly and this is driving the
demand for cyber security systems globally. Securing cloud computing
environments are expected to be a key focus in the cyber security domain over
the forecast period and will continue to drive the demand for such
systems.

About Industry
Review:Industry Review is a collection of incisive, regularly updated
market reports across 40+ industry sectors and 100+ countries.

We provide
access to the latest data on global and local markets, key industries, top
companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so you can make
faster and better informed business decisions.

The reports in our store
draw on robust primary and secondary research, proprietary databases, industry
surveys and insightful analysis from our own expert teams and from carefully
selected third-party publishers.

With access to over 400 in-house
analysts and journalists, and a global media presence in over 30 industries,
Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of local markets
worldwide.

Tuesday, 13 March 2012

The global financial crisis affected the
Croatian economy badly, and its construction industry lost 6.0% in 2009 and a
further 17.1% in 2010.

London, March 12, 2012 – Within the
Croatian construction industry, infrastructure construction was the largest
market in 2010, with a share of 48.6%. In terms of growth, residential
construction was the fastest-growing market over the review period, with a CAGR
of 4.56%. This was followed by industrial construction, with a CAGR of 3.26%
(reference figure 1 below).

Croatia was one of the few emerging countries in Europe that failed to cope
with the global crisis in 2009 and 2010. Despite conservative monetary policies
and a well-capitalized banking and financial structure, the Croatian economy
slumped in 2010 and the construction industry declined. Declining budget
revenues and uncertainty about the pace of the economic recovery led to the
government revising its budget three times. The construction industry depends
largely on public-sector investments, with most projects coming from the
government.

Croatia’s economy, as well as its construction sector, are expected to
recover in 2011, albeit marginally. The economic recovery is, however, subject
to uncertainty as the country has a high external debt that is coming to
maturity in the short term. World Bank estimates put Croatia’s external debt at
87% of its GDP, as of mid-2009. This upcoming debt maturity and tight domestic
and external financing conditions leave the Croatian economy with the difficult
task of recording a notable recovery in 2011.

The Croatian construction industry grew at a CAGR of 0.25% in the review
period. The global financial crisis affected the Croatian economy badly, and its
construction industry lost 6.0% in 2009 and a further 17.1% in 2010. In 2009,
the country’s credit markets remained frozen because of the government’s
refinancing needs, and as a result were unable to provide any stimulus to the
market.

The Croatian construction industry is expected to witness a marginal growth
of 2.1% during 2010, and is expected to grow at a CAGR of 3.13% over the
forecast period. Growth is expected to be led primarily by the infrastructure
construction market, which is forecast to grow at a CAGR of 4.36% during the
forecast period. It has followed a similar trend to the European construction
industry over the last few years, with smaller companies being able to adapt
more easily to changing market conditions. As a result, there are growing
numbers of small companies, while the number of large companies has dropped.

We provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key
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The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research,
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presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Friday, 9 March 2012

The UK Foodservice industry is confident of
revenue growth in 2012
Respondents from companies operating in the profit sector channels are
confident with regards to the growth of the foodservice industry over the next
12 months. In total, 62% of respondents from the profit sector channels are
“very confident” or “confident” about revenue growth. The highest levels of
optimism are identified among foodservice operators in the catering channel,
with 82% of such respondents confident of growth. The ongoing recovery of the
UK’s economy, rising employment opportunities, the London 2012 Olympic Games and
expectations of an increase in disposable income are projected to drive revenue
growth within the foodservice industry in 2012.

Overall, 41% of respondents in the cost sector channels expect an increase in
foodservice budgets. While 30% of respondents expect no change and 19% expect
budgets to decrease.
On average, accommodation foodservice operators expect to see the greatest
increase in profitability of 3.4%, followed by operators in the catering channel
who expect an increase of 2.9% and operators of pubs, leisure and travel and
restaurants who expect respective increases of 1.3% and 0.3%. Operators in the
workplace channel project the lowest increase in profitability with a decrease
of -1.7%.

Food and beverage prices are expected to
increase slightly in 2012, but suppliers are projected to increase their prices
A total of 75% of respondents from the profit sector and 56% from the cost
sector expect an increase in food and beverage prices, however, 17% of
respondents from the profit sector and 28% of respondents from the cost sector
expect prices to “increase considerably.” Concerns such as increases in the cost
of raw materials and high inflation rates have severely impacted supplier
companies’ profit margins and as a result operators expect suppliers to pass on
the price burden to customers over the next 12 months.

Over 65% of respondents across profit sector channels expect supplier prices
to increase. Notably, 100% of respondents from the caterers channel and 97% of
respondents from the pubs, leisure and travel channel forecast an increase in
supplier prices over the next 12 months. With foodservice operators already
running with tight margins, any increase in raw material, fuel or commodity
prices will force foodservice supplier companies to increase their prices over
the next 12 months.

‘Seasonal updating of menu and drink menu options’ is expected to drive
demand in 2012
According to 28% and 27% of respective respondents, “improving sanitation and
hygiene” and the “seasonal updating of menu and drink menu options” are
considered important drivers of customer demand for foodservice operators in the
profit sector channels. “Targeting customers’ online” and “innovating menu and
drink menu options” are considered important drivers of customer demand as
identified by 22% of respondents each.

The “Seasonal updating of menu and drink menu options,” “providing balanced
diet options” and “innovating menu and drink menu options” are considered
important drivers by 41%, 33% and 31% of respective respondents in the cost
sector. Stringent government guidelines with regards to healthy eating habits
and a focus on the nutritional value of meals are encouraging foodservice
operators to provide a balance diet to educational institutions. The ability to
offer cost-effective, balanced diet options will significantly increase an
operator‘s chances of success in the market.

The seasonal updating of menus helps foodservice operators to procure food
from local farms based on availability. The taste, freshness and safety of such
food encourage customers to visit restaurants, pubs and other foodservice
outlets. Since local procurement decreases transportation costs products may be
offered to customers at reduced prices.

‘Increasing cost of raw materials’,
‘decreasing consumer or government expenditure’ and ‘increase in value added
tax’ are key concerns for the UK foodservice industry
According to the survey results, the “increasing cost of raw materials,”
“decreasing consumer or government expenditure” and “increase in value added
tax” (VAT) are the most pressing business concerns faced by the UK foodservice
industry. The “increasing cost of raw materials” is considered a critical
concern by 70% of respondents from the profit sector and 59% from the cost
sector, as the price of agricultural commodities increases. According to a press
release by the Office for National Statistics in December 2011, the highest
increase in prices were registered by food and non-alcoholic beverages, wherein
the prices of fruits increased by 6.4% and meat by 1.6% during October–November
2011. A rise in fuel prices has also increased the financial pressures on
foodservice operators.

With the exception of the restaurants and workplace channels, the majority of
respondents across all channels are either “very concerned” or “moderately
concerned” about the costs incurred when displaying nutritional or calorie
information on their products. With an increasing number of UK citizens‘ dining
out and health budgets growing to tackle obesity levels, a total of 37 food
companies in September 2011 agreed to voluntarily provide calorie information as
part of the government‘s public health responsibility deal. Displaying calorie
information on food and drink items is expected to help consumers identify
healthier foods and better manage their diets.

‘Price’, ‘quality of product’, ‘existing
relationship with supplier’ and ‘speed of delivery’ are key elements of supplier
selection process
“Price,” “quality of products,” “existing relationship with supplier,” and
“speed of delivery” are considered key factors for supplier selection by
respondents in both the profit and cost sectors. Of respondents from the cost
sector, “level of after care service” and “healthiness of products” are also
considered important by 33% and 44% of respective respondents.

According to 86% and 79% of respective respondents from the profit and cost
sectors the “quality of products” is considered one of the primary factors when
considering supplier selection. Customers in UK are becoming increasingly aware
of buying superior quality, value for money products. The FSA has a set of
strict regulations on food usage. It mandates foodservice operators to know the
source of their products and food processing quality standards.

An increase in capital expenditure is expected in ‘new product development’,
‘IT infrastructure development’ and ‘equipment machinery or purchase’

“New product development,” “IT infrastructure development” and “equipment or
machinery purchase” are areas that will register a “significant increase” or
“increase” in investment, as identified by 44%, 43% and 41% of respective profit
sector respondents. Foodservice operators are concentrating on innovating new
product combinations to attract customers to their food outlets. For example,
SeeWoo, a supplier of oriental foods to restaurants, developed the first extra
virgin soy sauce in UK in January 2012.

Among cost sector respondents, 42%, 38% and 33% respectively report a
“significant increase” or an “increase” in areas such as “IT infrastructure
development,” “equipment or machinery purchase” and “expand premises.” During
the 2011 survey, “new product development,” investment in “IT infrastructure
development” and “equipment or machinery purchase” were identified as areas
likely to register an increase in investments.

Offering ‘locally grown produce’, ‘fresh
food’ and ‘vegetarian offerings’ are prominent trends in the UK foodservice
industry
“Locally grown produce,” “fresh food,” “vegetarian offerings” and “meals
prepared from scratch” are the prominent trends identified by respondents from
profit and cost sector channels. A growing awareness of healthy eating habits
among customers has led to an increase in a demand for fresh food. This has
supported the demand for “local produce,” which UK foodservice operators
consider one of the best ways to provide fresh food to their customers.

A total of 40% of respondents from the restaurant channel expect an increased
investment in “organic produce.” Significantly, many customers are changing
their eating habits from away from those foods grown with the aid of pesticides
towards organic foods, which contain more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than
foodstuffs that have been intensively farmed. Such a change in consumer trends
has induced many restaurants in the UK to increase their expenditure towards
organic produce.

An increase in capital expenditure is expected in ‘new product development’,
‘IT infrastructure development’ and ‘equipment machinery or purchase’
“New product development,” “IT infrastructure development” and “equipment or
machinery purchase” are areas that will register a “significant increase” or
“increase” in investment, as identified by 44%, 43% and 41% of respective profit
sector respondents. Foodservice operators are concentrating on innovating new
product combinations to attract customers to their food outlets. For example,
SeeWoo, a supplier of oriental foods to restaurants, developed the first extra
virgin soy sauce in UK in January 2012.

Among cost sector respondents, 42%, 38% and 33% respectively report a
“significant increase” or an “increase” in areas such as “IT infrastructure
development,” “equipment or machinery purchase” and “expand premises.” During
the 2011 survey, “new product development,” investment in “IT infrastructure
development” and “equipment or machinery purchase” were identified as areas
likely to register an increase in investments.

Offering ‘locally grown produce’, ‘fresh
food’ and ‘vegetarian offerings’ are prominent trends in the UK foodservice
industry
“Locally grown produce,” “fresh food,” “vegetarian offerings” and “meals
prepared from scratch” are the prominent trends identified by respondents from
profit and cost sector channels. A growing awareness of healthy eating habits
among customers has led to an increase in a demand for fresh food. This has
supported the demand for “local produce,” which UK foodservice operators
consider one of the best ways to provide fresh food to their customers.

A total of 40% of respondents from the restaurant channel expect an increased
investment in organic produce‘. Significantly, many customers are changing their
eating habits from away from those foods grown with the aid of pesticides
towards organic foods, which contain more nutrients, minerals and vitamins than
foodstuffs that have been intensively farmed. Such a change in consumer trends
has induced many restaurants in the UK to increase their expenditure towards
organic produce.

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presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Tuesday, 6 March 2012

London, March 6th, 2012 - The global
department stores market is highly concentrated. Large US store chains,
including Sears Holdings, Macy‘s and TJX, dominate the global market. The global
department stores market has been contracting in recent years as it is faced
with increased competition from hypermarkets, discounters and online retailers.
Market values of department stores are expected to continue declining in the
next decade as an increasing number of consumers choose other retail channels as
they seek better value for their money.

TJX performed the best on an overall basis among the leading global
department stores. Its strong performance was demonstrated by the high scores it
received for the scale and growth, operational efficiency and financial
performance pillars. The next best overall performing department stores in the
peer group were Marks and Spencer and Kohl's. While Marks and Spencer‘s
performance was strong in scale and growth and operational efficiency pillars,
Kohl's had a strong performance in scale and growth and financial performance
pillars. Isetan Mitsukoshi recorded the least impressive overall performance,
which was very poor compared with the department stores channel as well. Its
poor performance was primarily driven by the low scores it received across all
the three pillars: scale and growth, operational efficiency and financial
performance. On an overall basis, only three out of 10 companies in the peer
group performed better than the channel average.

Both TJX and Kohl's were the best performers under scale and growth pillar in
the peer group. TJX‘s strong performance can be attributed to the high scores it
received in the scale metrics: revenue, retail floor space, store count and
employee count. Kohl's strong performance was due to the high scores it received
in the revenue, retail floor space, store count and employee count metrics.

Based on the scores received by the peer group companies, it can be inferred
that these companies performed better than the department stores channel on the
revenue, retail floor space, store count, and employee count metrics. However,
their performance was weaker than, or comparable to, the channel average in
growth metrics and market capitalization. Of the 10 peer group companies, six
performed better than the channel average under this pillar.

Marks and Spencer performed the best under the operational efficiency pillar
in the peer group. The company‘s strong performance can be attributed to the
high scores it received in the EBITDA margin and in area productivity metrics,
which was due to the company‘s increased focus on operational efficiency and
improved logistic management. However, the company‘s performance was the least
impressive in sales per employee and fixed asset turnover.

In general, the peer group companies performed better than the department
store channel average on the sales per square meter and sales per employee
metrics. However, the peer group performance was weaker than the channel average
on EBITDA margin, net profit margin, inventory turnover and fixed asset turnover
under the operational efficiency pillar.

We provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key
industries, top companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so
you can make faster and better informed business decisions.

The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research,
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expert teams and from carefully selected third-party publishers.

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media
presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.

Saturday, 3 March 2012

While defense suppliers are optimistic of
revenue growth, they identified decreasing defense expenditure as a major
concern over 2011–2012.London, March 2nd, 2012 –
An increase in demand for national security priorities such as cyber security,
satellites and nuclear defense is expected to increase sales of military
equipment across the world, however market uncertainty is of concern, impacting
supplier’s ability to forecast and implement a business strategy for the years
ahead. Since the global economic crisis, defense contractors who also own
commercial lines of business have performed well.

The Middle East and
Asia-Pacific are forecast to be key markets in the coming years, with India,
Saudi Arabia and the UAE expected to invest heavily and the region comprising
Singapore, Taiwan and Hong Kong identified as the most likely to record an
increase in demand.

According to survey results, 57% of defense
contractors and 56% of other service providers either have or are planning to
deploy e-procurement in their organizations. Further, the average size of global
annual procurement budgets among defense contractors is US$120 million, three
times larger than the average size of the procurement budgets of other service
providers.

Suppliers optimistic of revenue
growthAcross the defense contractors’ and service providers’
industry, half of respondents are more optimistic regarding their company’s
revenue growth over the next 12 months relative to the previous year. In 2011,
the global defense budget is expected to reach US$1.1 trillion, with the US
accounting for the largest share of this amount. An increase in demand for
national security priorities such as cyber security, satellites and nuclear
defense is expected to increase sales of military equipment across the
world.

Since the global economic crisis, defense contractors who also own
commercial lines of business have performed well. Companies such as Boeing,
Oshkosh, ITT and Rockwell displayed similar strategies to balance revenue
growth. Countries in Asia-Pacific express increased interest in military
procurement to match their growing economic power, while defense contractors try
to capture maximum share of the market. Security threats due to terrorism and
territorial issues among Asian countries are responsible for driving demand for
fighter aircraft and ammunition.

Decreasing defense expenditure a
concernOf all defense contractor respondents, over half consider
decreasing defense expenditure and market uncertainty to be leading business
concerns and 42% are concerned about their ability to respond to pricing
pressures. While almost 50% of other service providers are concerned about
market uncertainty, more than one-third of respondents each consider decreasing
defense expenditures and rising competition to be major
concerns.

Asia-Pacific and the Middle East considered important
marketsThe Middle East and Asia-Pacific are forecast to be key
markets in the coming years. India plans to establish a defense modernization
program which would make it the second largest defense spender in Asia-Pacific
and the seventh largest in the world by 2016. In addition, defense expenditure
across the Middle East is expected to grow by 14% over the next five years, with
Saudi Arabia and the UAE considered the leading countries in the region in terms
of military expenditure.

The region comprising Singapore, Taiwan and Hong
Kong was identified as the most likely to record an increase in demand for
defense products and services in 2011–2012. This was followed by South Korea,
identified by 36% of respondents, and the US, as identified by almost 30% of
respondents. Singapore intends to increase its defense expenditure by 6% during
2011–2012, and expects to further increase this in the coming
years.

Significant implementation of
e-procurementAccording to survey results, 57% of defense
contractors and 56% of other service providers either have or are planning to
deploy e-procurement in their organizations. The level of e-procurement
implementation in the defense contractors’ and service providers’ industry is
more in large companies, with almost one-third of companies implementing it,
compared to small and medium companies, where approximately 20% of companies in
each category have implemented e-procurement.

The average
procurement budget size is US$71.3 millionThe average procurement
budget size of respondent companies is US$71.3 million. Almost a third of
respondents said that their global annual procurement budget would be less than
US$250,000, while 16% plan budgets between US$1–US$10 million. The average size
of global annual procurement budgets among defense contractors is US$120
million, three times larger than the average size of the procurement budgets of
other service providers.

We provide access to the latest data on global and local
markets, key industries, top companies, M&A activity, new product launches
and trends so you can make faster and better informed business
decisions.

The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary
research, proprietary databases, industry surveys and insightful analysis from
our own expert teams and from carefully selected third-party
publishers.

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists,
and a global media presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers
in-depth knowledge of local markets worldwide.

Thursday, 1 March 2012

London, March 1st, 2012 – The US
recorded budget cuts in 2011, a trend which is forecast to continue going
forward. Despite this, North America is expected to account for the largest
share of the total global C2/C4ISR market comprising 52% over the forecast
period. Regional demand will primarily be driven by the large procurement of
military aircraft, submarines and armoured vehicles which will consequently
result in a demand for training programs. Asia and Europe are also expected to
account for a significant portion of the total global C2/C4ISR market over the
forecast period, with respective shares of 20% and 18%. This will be largely
driven by the efforts of countries such as India, China, the UK and Russia to
modernize their armed forces. Latin America, Middle East and Africa are forecast
to account for respective shares of 6%, 2% and 2% (reference see graph
below).

Global spending on C2/C4ISR systems is expected to remain robust over the
forecast period, primarily due to the increased importance of C2/C4ISR systems
in modern or fourth-generation warfare. Modern conflicts include a mix of
physical combat, mental and tactical elements, where the enemy could be a nation
or a faction of society such as a terrorist group. In such situations, C2/C4ISR
systems are considered by most nations to be the most important tools for
victory. The market consists of land, space, naval and airborne systems.

Global defence cuts, combined with a substantial increase in the cost of
developing technologically superior weapons platforms, have encouraged
collaboration between governments, services and industries. This has led to
in-country and cross-border consolidation, and an increase in joint development
and procurement programs, which are expected to continue over the next ten
years.

The development of military communication systems that facilitate truly
network centric operations (NCOs) continues to present challenges for
researchers and developers and has done so for more than a decade. During this
time a great deal of focus has been placed on applying commercial products and
internet design methodologies to military systems. While this strategy has met
with some success, it does not always translate well to the more challenging
environment encountered in military operations.

C4ISR systems have evolved at a rapid pace over the last few decades and
countries are now forced to regularly upgrade their products in order to keep
abreast of the changes in technology, the cost of which can be significantly
high. This is prompting countries to take advantage of improvements nurtured in
the civilian marketplace to integrate them into military applications. The US
government for example is making use of commercial hardware and software for its
C4ISR systems, in order to keep rising costs in check.

The demand for land, airborne and naval systems is expected to increase, as
key spenders such as the US, the UK, China, India and Brazil have launched new
procurement programs. Countries facing conventional threats such as territorial
disputes and hostile neighbours will also drive the demand for such systems.

The global C2/C4ISR market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 2.98%. This is
primarily because key markets, such as the US, are expected to prioritize
spending on C2/C4ISR systems; an element of defense spending that was not given
much importance until the Afghan and Iraqi conflicts.

Next generation highly mobile front line communications are shifting away
from the high power single line of contact methods, toward a low power mesh
system where more operators are linked together through a multi-node mesh
system. These systems will be less prone to single points of failure and will be
self healing such that the communications packets find the best route to the
destination based on traffic levels and available system bandwidth.

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We provide access to the latest data on global and local markets, key
industries, top companies, M&A activity, new product launches and trends so
you can make faster and better informed business decisions.

The reports in our store draw on robust primary and secondary research,
proprietary databases, industry surveys and insightful analysis from our own
expert teams and from carefully selected third-party publishers.

With access to over 400 in-house analysts and journalists, and a global media
presence in over 30 industries, Industry Review delivers in-depth knowledge of
local markets worldwide.